offend
Use Offend in a sentence
verb (used with object)
1.
to irritate, annoy, or anger; cause resentful displeasure in: Even the hint of prejudice offends me.
2.
to affect (the sense, taste, etc.) disagreeably.
3.
to violate or transgress (a criminal, religious, or moral law).
4.
to hurt or cause pain to.
5.
(in Biblical use) to cause to fall into sinful ways.
verb (used without object)
6.
to cause resentful displeasure; irritate, annoy, or anger: a remark so thoughtless it can only offend.
7.
to err in conduct; commit a sin, crime, or fault.
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Offend
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is skedaddle. Does it mean:
| to run away hurriedly; flee. |
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
Origin:
1275–1325; Middle English offenden < Middle French offendre < Latin offendere to strike against, displease, equivalent to of- of- + -fendere to strike
1275–1325; Middle English offenden < Middle French offendre < Latin offendere to strike against, displease, equivalent to of- of- + -fendere to strike
Related forms
of·fend·a·ble, adjective
of·fend·ed·ly, adverb
of·fend·ed·ness, noun
of·fend·er, noun
half-of·fend·ed, adjective
non·of·fend·er, noun
o·ver·of·fend, verb (used with object)
pre·of·fend, verb (used with object)
re·of·fend, verb
un·of·fend·a·ble, adjective
un·of·fend·ed, adjective
un·of·fend·ing, adjective
Synonyms
1. provoke, chafe, nettle, affront, insult. 7. transgress.
1. provoke, chafe, nettle, affront, insult. 7. transgress.
Antonyms
1. please.
1. please.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source
|
Link To offend
Collins
World English Dictionary
offend (əˈfɛnd) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | to hurt the feelings, sense of dignity, etc, of (a person) |
| 2. | (tr) to be disagreeable to; disgust: the smell offended him |
| 3. | (intr except in archaic uses) to break (a law or laws in general) |
| [C14: via Old French offendre to strike against, from Latin offendere, from ob- against + fendere to strike] | |
| of'fender | |
| —n | |
| of'fending | |
| —adj | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
offend
early 14c., "to sin against (someone)," from M.Fr. offendre, from L. offendere "strike against, stumble, commit a fault, displease," from ob "against" + fendere "to strike" (found only in compounds). Meaning "to violate (a law), to make a moral false step, to commit a crime" is from late 14c. Meaning
"to wound the feelings" is from late 14c. The literal sense of "to attack, assail" is attested from late 14c.; this has been lost in Modern English, but is preserved in offense and offensive.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
Example sentences
We believe that many offenders continue to re-offend due to never having known any other lifestyle.
The upshot of all this is that the expedition manages not to offend modern sensibilities.
The sidebars offer advice from how and what to pack to money smarts to how not to offend the locals.
He could also offend people, and he did so frequently.
Nearby Words
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